Page 29 of The Order

“Nothing happened that you haven't already laid out,” I whisper, pulling his hand down and away from my face. I expect to let his hand go, but I cling on tighter.

“I don’t believe you. Your heart is racing right now,” he says, seeking a genuine answer. His fingertips meet my pulse along my neck. His head lowers, close enough to hear my shaky breaths.

“Are you sure you’re trusting the right people?” he questions, only accelerating my heart rate.

My dad nudges open the door. Instantly, I retract my hands from Xavier’s, creating space between us. My friend's eyes meet mine. Xavier holds his calm expression, shoving the vial back in his pocket. He smiles at me, easing my tension on the note we left the conversation on.

“You’re all going to the screening tonight?” my father questions.

“What screening?” I ask, shooting my focus toward Kai.

“The school is playing The Great Gatsby tonight. It's one of the old world's coveted films. New Haven refurbished enough of a found film so they could cast it tonight in the front of the schoolyard. I’ve been telling you about it all week,” Kai says in defeat.

“Actually, you only told me,” Rae says, jumping to my defense at my brother’s ignorance. “You are going, right?” Rae continues.

“Of course she is,” Max says, rolling his eyes at his twin.

“I believe she can answer for herself,” Xavier says, crossing his arms, cocking his head at Max.

The tension between these two is suffocating. It fills my throat like a thick fog. Even my father takes a moment to observe the rise in testosterone surrounding him.

“Forest, your mother hoped to speak to you before you go. Why don't you stop by her office before you start getting ready? Xavier and I have a few more things to go over, and I’m pretty sure your parents would like you two to check in before you stay here any longer,” my father says, dispersing the group with just one statement.

That's how my father is. The man is able to dictate a room with few words. Max and Xavier look away from one another, moving to their respective areas across the room.

“We’ll be back over in an hour,” Rae says, tugging her twin and leaving the study. Kai trails behind. “I'll show them out. Good seeing you again,” he finishes, waving gently to Xavier.

Odd.

He never gives anyone a second look.

My father waits for me to back away. I take the hint, letting Xavier hold the door open for me with his typical smile.

“Tell me it's a bad idea to continue trying to figure you out,” he quickly whispers, lowering his head to avoid my dad’s ears.

“I can't do that,” I say, pulling away from the study with a smile.

My mother scans her files, covering her ears with a pair of earmuffs meant for winter. Her body jolts from my sudden presence. She pries away the soft barriers between the outside world and her. I kick her door closed with my heel, pulling up a seat beside her stressed figure.

“What's with the headgear?” I question, messing with the soft bits of the headpiece.

“Your father and the boy were getting too loud. I don’t like hearing about his work some days,” my mother says. My eyes trail to her clock. I’m shocked to see its plug pulled clean from the socket.

“How long have you had that out of the wall?” I question.

“As long as your father has been shouting in his study. It's not too fond of my distaste towards talk of violence. I'll take the marks on my scorecard,” she says as she begins shoving away the folder in front of her with a sigh.

“They were only speaking of Unfortunates-”

She covers my mouth, looking around the room, silencing me with a raised finger. After a few seconds, she lowers her hand, drawing in a deep breath.

“There's no need to specify details right now. I want to talk about you. Kai mentioned to me you might be having a hard time. He says you’ve seemed a bit off,” my mom says, glancing down at the portion of my shirt above my mark that Xavier had managed to untuck with his grasp earlier.

“I may have gotten in a physical altercation with an Untouchable,” I begin. She shakes her head, scolding me with a click of her tongue.

“You know better, Forest. What have I told you repeatedly?” she questions, pulling away another one of my hairs she has deemed too gray to be residing with my dark brown hair.

“Being in the shadows is not a disadvantage,” I say, watching her sigh.

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